The former Beatle, who turns 72 next month, had planned to hold concerts in Japan and South Korea as part of his world tour.

“I was really looking forward to visiting and playing in South Korea for the first time and I’m sorry to be letting fans down,” McCartney was quoted as saying in a statement released by Seoul-based Hyundai Card Co. Ltd., an organizer for his South Korea concert. “I’m very disappointed by this and hope to be able to visit soon.”